13:45 Leopardstown

Thursday 29 December 2022

All12:0012:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:25

Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 17.70s

Amirite³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| D

10/1

Useful novice hurdler last season. Winning start over fences in Fairyhouse maiden in October. Creditable third of 5 in Grade 2 at Punchestown since, not helped by a blunder at halfway. Should have more to offer.

Form: 1451-13

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Barnacullia⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: M Mulvany

150/1

Useful chaser. Creditable 13½ lengths third of 6 to Midnight Run in Craddockstown Novices' Chase at Punchestown (16.8f, good to soft, 16/1) 40 days ago. Plenty to find on form.

Form: 0-46313

Churchstonewarrior³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Jonathan Sweeney| BF

18/1

Useful hurdler. Simlar form when placed in maiden chases at Galway and Thurles this term. Remains open to improvement over fences.

Form: 2432-22

Frontal Assault^b³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| BF| D

25/1

Useful chaser. Won maiden at Galway in October. Bit below form fifth of 18 in handicap chase (3/1) at Navan (24f, heavy) 32 days ago.

Form: 42P2-15

Gaillard Du Mesnil²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156| BF| C

5/6

Very smart chaser. 6/1, good 4½ lengths second of 10 to Mighty Potter in Drinmore at Fairyhouse (19.8f, heavy) 25 days ago. Back up in trip. Leading claims.

Form: 33333-2

Three Stripe Life^t1²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| BF

7/4

Smart hurdler. Winning start over fences in Naas maiden in November. Sent off favourite for the Drinmore but pulled up after mistake eighth (rider lost irons). Well worth another chance.

Form: 2213-1P

Unexpected Depth^p,t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: O McKiernan| D

50/1

Useful hurdler. Fourteen runs since last win in 2020. 12 lengths second to Three Stripe Life on chase debut. Better than result when fourth of 9 at Thurles since. Remains capable of better but has a bit to find in this company.

Form: 00-7224

Non-Runners

Mighty Potter²⁵

Weight: 11-10| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Gaillard Du Mesnil (5/6), Three Stripe Life (7/4), Mighty Potter (10/1), Amirite (10/1), Churchstonewarrior (18/1), Frontal Assault (25/1), Unexpected Depth (50/1), Barnacullia (150/1)

THREE STRIPE LIFE was actually sent off favourite ahead of winning stablemate Mighty Potter in the Drinmore and is worth another chance to add a Grade 1 novice chase to the Grade 1 novice hurdle he won at Aintree in the spring. Drinmore second Gaillard du Mesnil is the obvious danger.